DARDANELLE — The city of Dardanelle christened a new softball complex at Merritt Park during a ceremony and four games Tuesday across two new fields at the facility.

The complex, which Dardanelle constructed through a $250,000 matching grant with the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, saw its first pitch after an invocation by Dardanelle Sports Commission member Jared Higginbotham.

“Everything we do through this facility will bring honor to You,” Higginbotham prayed. “Bless each event as it transpires tonight.”

The softball complex was five years in the making and addressed a shortage of softball fields in Dardanelle. Merritt Park had only one other field. Dardanelle Mayor Carolyn McGee said the sport’s growing popularity led to the demand for more adequate facilities.

“We built Merritt Park in 1996,” McGee said. “Back then, girl’s softball was not that popular, but in this day and time, softball has become very popular. This facility is very important. It’s important to our girls.”

Dardanelle Sports Commission President Eric Lee told the crowd just how hard the Dardanelle City Council and the mayor worked to give the complex to the community.

“I just want to point out how much hard work and dedication it took to get this park going,” Lee told the crowd. “I’ve been on the sports commission for five years and for every minute of it, this has been an issue we’ve worked on. The City Council and the Mayor pushed and drove this. Everyone in the community needs to realize how hard they worked to put this together.”

Lee reminded the crowd that softball is just a game and as such it should be fun.

“Our city philosophy, and this comes straight from our leadership, is that we’re here for the weakest child on the field, not the super athlete. We take flack over it, people think we should be more competitive and cutthroat, but that’s not what this program is for. This program is to develop the youth of this community so they can grow up to be leaders in this community,” he said.

Breya Bunting, 3, was originally scheduled to throw out the first pitch but was unable to attend due to complications with acute lymphoma leukemia. Bunting was diagnosed last July and was recently an honoree during the second annual Superhero 5k Run at Russellville Junior High School.

Lee said her absence was further perspective on the game of softball.

“We come and we worry about whether or kids get a hit or get on base,” he said. “Others are making major decisions every single day. It puts this game into perspective.”